She was driving three weeks ago and visiting with friends and family, but a sudden illness has ended the rich, full and fun life of Elsie Florine Belk Powers. Florine (aka Moma, Grammy, aka GiGi was born July 1, 1927 to Lilly Talk Belk and Lemuel Burton Belk in Belton, Texas. She soon moved with her parents to Waco.
She graduated from Waco High School in 1945. Florine enrolled in a business course, and met a new friend who constantly talked about her boyfriend Boyd Powers. Within a few weeks Florine gained a boyfriend and lost a friend.
Love was true and everlasting and they married December 31, 1947…because he teased “I can claim you as a dependent on the income tax! It was the early l950s when Florine and Roxy bought a new post-war home in north Waco where they raised two daughters Regina Helm and Rebecca Searcy. Florine was full of fun and loved to laugh.
As an only child married to an only child, family gatherings were small in size but large in love and companionship. She made butter and sugar sandwiches for her daughters to take on a picnic adventure…in the front yard. She taught them to play go fish and monopoly.
She pulled a bicycle out of the trash heap and spray-painted it gold; Rebecca learned to ride a bike standing up. When Rebecca started first grade, Florine and Regina had adventures…visiting neighbors for coffee-time, driving to West, TX for kolaches, playing endless games of Old Maid…just loving and rearing two adored daughters. The playful spirit she exhibited with Rebecca and Regina transferred later to her great-grandsons.
She regularly mailed cards to them which they loved to receive as there was always a bit of money included! Near retirement, Florine and husband Roxy trolled estate sales for special finds and later collected enough to set up a booth at Canton and enjoyed the “flea-market comradery”. After her husband’s retirement, Florine and Roxy moved to Marshall.
Their backyard was wooded and full of critters and deer to watch. Florine and Roxy loved the friendly, caring nature of neighborhood friends. After her beloved husband died, Florine stepped up a social life with the “Divas of Duncan,” widows who stuck together for companionship, laughter and adventure.
Close friends Gail Weeks and Ginny Berry were always up for adventures. Florine was preceded in death by an infant brother John Belk, parents Lilly and Lemuel Belk and son-in-law Jason Searcy. She is survived by daughters Rebecca Searcy, Regina Helm and son-in-law Mark Helm, grandson Joshua Searcy and wife Meredith, grandsons David Mark Helm and Ryan Mark Helm and great-grandsons Josiah Luke and Jonathan Levi Searcy.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Harrison County Food Pantry (PO Box 1601, Marshall, TX) or The Pet Place (PO Box 155, Marshall, TX 75671). We are sad to share news of our Mama’s death on May 5th. She loved her family and friends and we miss her so much, but we know she is wearing a bright orange robe and dancing with Jesus.
Please celebrate her life with us at a Friday night (May 10) for a visitation from 6-8 pm at Meadowbrook Funeral Home, 1804 S. Washington Avenue in Marshall. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Elsie Florine Powers please visit our Sympathy Store.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
